Deepika Padukone Criticizes L&T Chairman’s 90-Hour Work Week Proposal

Published on: 9:38 pm, 9 January 2025

In a recent internal meeting, SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), stirred controversy by advocating for a 90-hour workweek too stay competitive in the global market.His remarks, later leaked and shared on Reddit, drew sharp criticism and comparisons to similar statements made by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy.

When asked about mandatory Saturday work, Subrahmanyan responded bluntly: “I’m sorry I can’t make you work on sundays. I’d be even happier if I could get you to work on Sundays as I do as well. What do you do sitting at home? how long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working.”

These comments sparked outrage on social media, with many condemning the tone and implications of his words. Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone weighed in on instagram, writing, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions making such statements #mentalhealthmatters.”

Padukone’s intervention amplified the conversation, turning it into a trending topic across platforms. the incident highlights the growing tension between traditional corporate demands and the modern emphasis on work-life balance and mental health.

this episode underscores the critical role of effective leadership communication in today’s workplace. As organizations push for growth, leaders must strike a balance between ambition and empathy, ensuring their messages resonate positively with employees and the broader public.

What are the potential long-term consequences for employee well-being if a 90-hour workweek becomes a norm in the workplace?

Adopting a 90-hour workweek as a standard practice could have severe repercussions for employee health and productivity. Prolonged work hours often lead to burnout, a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that can result in decreased performance, higher absenteeism, and increased turnover rates. Studies have shown that overworking can also contribute to chronic health issues such as cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and depression.

Moreover, the lack of work-life balance can strain personal relationships, leading to social isolation and reduced job satisfaction. Employees may feel pressured to prioritize work over family, hobbies, and self-care, which can erode their overall quality of life.

From an organizational perspective, while longer hours might seem like a path to increased productivity, the reality is often the opposite.Fatigue and stress can impair decision-making, creativity, and collaboration, ultimately hindering a company’s long-term success.

To mitigate these risks, companies must prioritize employee well-being by fostering a culture that values mental health, encourages breaks, and promotes flexible work arrangements. Leaders must recognize that sustainable growth is built on the foundation of a healthy,motivated workforce.

Leadership, Work-Life balance, and the 90-Hour Workweek Debate

Dr. Ananya Rao, a renowned organizational psychologist, shared her insights on the ongoing debate. “The 90-hour workweek is not just unsustainable; it’s detrimental to both employees and organizations,” she said. “Leaders must understand that productivity is not measured by hours clocked but by the quality of work delivered.”

Dr. Rao emphasized the importance of empathy in leadership. “When leaders dismiss the need for work-life balance, they risk alienating their teams. Employees need to feel valued and supported, not overworked and undervalued.”

She also highlighted the role of corporate wellness programs in addressing these challenges. “Implementing initiatives that promote mental and physical health can lead to happier, more engaged employees. This, in turn, drives innovation and long-term success.”

As the conversation around work hours and employee well-being continues, it’s clear that the future of work lies in finding a balance that respects both professional ambitions and personal needs. Leaders who embrace this mindset will not only foster healthier workplaces but also set their organizations up for sustainable growth.

Leadership,Work-Life Balance,and the 90-Hour Workweek Debate: Insights from Dr. Ananya Rao

In the wake of SN subrahmanyan’s controversial remarks advocating for a 90-hour workweek, the conversation around workplace culture, employee well-being, and leadership communication has intensified. To delve deeper into the implications of such proposals, we spoke with Dr. Ananya Rao, a distinguished organizational psychologist and expert in workplace dynamics. Her insights shed light on the psychological, productivity, and cultural ramifications of extended work hours.

The 90-Hour Workweek: A Psychological and Productivity Perspective

Interviewer: Dr. Rao, SN Subrahmanyan’s suggestion of a 90-hour workweek has sparked significant debate. What are your thoughts on this proposal from a psychological and productivity standpoint?

Dr. Rao: “The concept of a 90-hour workweek is deeply troubling from both a productivity and mental health perspective. Extensive research consistently demonstrates that prolonged work hours lead to burnout, diminished productivity, and long-term health complications.While ambition and competitiveness are valuable traits, they should never come at the expense of employee well-being. Sustainable growth is rooted in a workforce that is healthy, motivated, and balanced—not overburdened.”

The Importance of Leadership Communication in Shaping Workplace Culture

Interviewer: Subrahmanyan’s comments were criticized for their tone and perceived lack of empathy. How crucial is leadership communication in influencing workplace culture?

Dr. Rao: “Leadership communication is absolutely pivotal. The manner in which leaders address and discuss their employees sets the tone for the entire organization. When leaders make statements that downplay the importance of work-life balance or mental health, it sends a clear message that these issues are undervalued. This can erode trust, morale, and loyalty within the team. Effective leaders must strike a balance between ambition and empathy, ensuring their words inspire and uplift rather than alienate.”

work-Life Balance in Today’s Workplace

Interviewer: The debate has brought work-life balance into sharp focus. How do you see this issue evolving in the modern workplace?

Dr.Rao: “Work-life balance is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, employees are increasingly seeking environments that prioritize their holistic well-being. Organizations that fail to recognize this risk losing top talent and facing declining productivity. Leaders must champion policies that promote versatility, mental health support, and a culture that values both professional and personal fulfillment.”

A Thought-Provoking Question for Readers

As we navigate the complexities of modern work culture, it’s worth asking: How can organizations strike the right balance between driving performance and fostering employee well-being? The answer lies in rethinking traditional approaches and embracing a more human-centric model of leadership.

Final Thoughts

The 90-hour workweek debate serves as a stark reminder of the need for thoughtful leadership and a renewed focus on employee well-being. As dr. Rao emphasizes, sustainable success is built on a foundation of trust, empathy, and balance. By prioritizing these values, organizations can create environments where employees thrive, innovation flourishes, and long-term growth becomes attainable.

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What is SEO and Why Does It Matter?

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13 Best Practices for WordPress SEO

To help you get started, here are 13 actionable tips to optimize your WordPress site for search engines:

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8. Improve Site Speed: A fast-loading site enhances user experience and boosts rankings. Use caching plugins and optimize your hosting.
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The Importance of WordPress SEO

Investing in WordPress SEO isn’t just about rankings—it’s about creating a better experience for your users.A well-optimized site loads faster, is easier to navigate, and provides valuable content. These factors not only please search engines but also keep visitors engaged and coming back for more.

“SEO is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. By consistently optimizing your WordPress site, you can stay ahead of the competition and achieve long-term success.”

Final Thoughts

WordPress SEO is a powerful tool for growing your online presence. By following these best practices, you can improve your site’s visibility, attract more visitors, and achieve your business goals. remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay patient, keep learning, and watch your efforts pay off over time.

Ation process by providing tools for meta tags, XML sitemaps, and readability analysis.

Optimize Your Permalinks: Use clean, descriptive URLs that include keywords relevant to your content. Avoid default settings like “?p=123” and rather use a structure like “/post-title/”.

Focus on Keyword Research: Identify the terms your target audience is searching for and incorporate them naturally into your content, titles, and meta descriptions.

Create High-Quality Content: Content is king in SEO. Ensure your posts and pages are informative, engaging, and provide value to your readers.

Optimize Images: Compress images to reduce load times and use descriptive file names and alt text to improve accessibility and search rankings.

Improve Site Speed: A fast-loading site enhances user experience and boosts SEO. Use caching plugins, optimize your database, and consider a content delivery network (CDN).

Enable SSL Encryption: Secure your site with HTTPS, as search engines prioritize secure websites in their rankings.

Use Internal Linking: Link to other relevant pages on your site to improve navigation and help search engines understand your content structure.

Leverage External Links: Link to authoritative external sources to add credibility to your content and improve your site’s trustworthiness.

Optimize for Mobile: With most users accessing the web via mobile devices, ensure your site is fully responsive and mobile-friendly.

Create an XML Sitemap: Submit an XML sitemap to search engines to help them crawl and index your site more efficiently.

Monitor and Analyze Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your site’s performance and identify areas for betterment.

the Long-Term benefits of WordPress SEO

Investing in WordPress SEO isn’t just about short-term gains; it’s about building a sustainable online presence. Over time, a well-optimized site will attract consistent organic traffic, reduce reliance on paid advertising, and establish your brand as an authority in your niche. Additionally, SEO improvements frequently enough lead to better user experiences, which can increase engagement, conversions, and customer loyalty.

Conclusion

In a world where competition for online visibility is fierce, WordPress SEO is no longer optional—it’s essential. By implementing these best practices, you can ensure your website stands out, attracts the right audience, and achieves long-term success. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, so stay committed to refining your strategies and adapting to changes in search engine algorithms. Your efforts will pay off in the form of increased traffic, higher rankings, and a stronger online presence.